Alexis Nallos of The Country Club lines up his putt during the first day of the men’s competition in the PAL Interclub at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country. He tallied 31 points to help TCC assemble 134 points. (Photo by BOB DUNGO JR.)

BACOLOD CITY – Former caddie Alvin Engino outshone teammate and national champion Mhark Fernando Wednesday at the start of the Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships, firing a one-under par 69 to lead defending champion Canlubang to a three-point lead over The Country Club.

Before joining Canlubang’s stable, Engino used to carry golf bags at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (formerly Marapara). He had a run-in with the club’s grounds official and was banned from returning.

Engino, a 30-year-old single father, did return as a player, posting 37 points on five birdies and four bogeys. It was the day’s best score at the short, but demanding course designed by the late Golem Silverio.

“Wala pa rin pagbabago. Ako pa rin ’yung dating caddie,” said Engino as he enjoyed a late lunch with his brother and father at the nearby eatery just outside the exclusive club.

With the help of younger brother Alfredo, Engino bucked early bogeys with four birdies coming home.

Starting on the back nine, Engino started badly with two bogeys in the first three holes, birdied No. 14 and dropped another shot on the 15th.

Two over at the turn, Engino made four birdies against a lone bogey in the last nine holes.

Fernando, the acknowledged leader of Canlubang, picked up on the par-3, No. 3, but rallied with three birdies against a solitary bogey to salvage 36 points.

The Sugar Barons also drew a pair of 32s from Paul Echavez and Jobim Carlos to collect 137 points in the five-to-play, four-to-count event.
Veteran Abe Rosal did not count with a 29.

TCC, which lost to Canlubang by nine points last year in Davao, was led by coach J.R. Tanpinco who submitted 35 points on one birdie against two bogeys.

National pool members Rufino Bayron and Peter Villaber who carded similar 34 points while Alexis Nallos rounded out TCC scoring with 31. Vino Villanueva’s 25 failed to count.

“Our top two aces (Fernando and Engino) outscored their gunners (Bayron and Villaber) by five points. That, I think, was the key,” said Canlubang’s Tommy Manotoc.

TCC head coach Bong Lopez conceded that Canlubang has stronger players.

“We’re happy to be down by just three points. It could have been bigger because Canlubang is too strong,” Lopez said.

Lopez said their goal is to keep Canlubang within arm’s length going into the final round.

The opening round did not end without an incident.

Even before the two rivals made their first drives, Canlubang accused TCC of shuffling its players at the last minute.

Manotoc claimed that TCC changed its pairing to ensure that Bayron would be paired against former teammate Carlos.